The Only Use of
paragon
in
Othello, the Moor of Venice
- Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid That paragons description and wild fame, One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And in the essential vesture of creation Does tire the ingener.†
Scene 2.1
Definitions:
-
(1)
(paragon) an ideal instance; or model of excellence
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely, paragon can refer to a perfect diamond that is at least 100 carats. Even more rarely, it can refer to a very large pearl that is perfectly spherical.
As a proper noun, The Paragon refers to a specific paragon diamond. Paragon is also commonly used in the name of companies that want to be associated with excellence.